[954Stealth]

A little background on the Blancpain Sprint Series:


This is the first year that the Sprint Series and the Endurance Series are under one roof. Previously, the Sprint Series was a GT (Grand Tourer) one under the FIA umbrella as - you guessed it - FIA GT Championship and the FIA GT1 World Championship. It was organized by Stéphane Ratel and his SRO Motorsports organization.

SRO is the same group that is organizing the Blancpain events and it still requires FIA approval. While following on behind the FIA GT event now that it has been cancelled the cars are only GT3 (no GT1, etc.) spec.

So the BSS and BES names might be new to you (This is the first year after all) but the racing itself has been around for quite some time under the FIA...

Here is what Stefane says;

Stephane Ratel - Founder & CEO of SRO Motorsports Group

"2014 is another busy and exciting year for the SRO Motorsports Group as we take an exciting step forward, bringing our two main international GT series under one roof.

The new Blancpain GT Series brings together the hugely successful Blancpain Endurance Series with the Sprint events previously promoted as the FIA GT Series. With a combined title as well as individual prizes for Endurance and Sprint, the Series will also feature some innovations such as the Silver Cup for young drivers aged 25 and under, and a large prize fund.

In the UK, the Avon Tyres British GT Championship is going from strength to strength, with a full and competitive grid making it the strongest National GT Championship in Europe. The Cooper Tires British Formula 3 Championship has returned to the UK circuits, in an attempt to find its place alongside the now firmly established FIA F3 Championship. It will be a challenge to save it, but SRO is used to challenges, and a 63-year history that has taken many famous drivers to Formula One definitely deserves the effort.

The Total 24 Hours of Spa event, on the last weekend of July will be once again the jewel in our crown, particularly in this special year, when the traditional and prestigious race will celebrate its 90th anniversary. The combination of action-packed competition on the beautiful and spectacular Spa-Francorchamps circuit, with a popular festival of music off the track, makes it a unique event around which all of our teams, from the various series, form their season.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to all our commercial partners, the event promoters and of course all the competitors for their great sporting commitment to our series once again in 2014."

Stephane Ratel